Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber hadn’t played a match in over 20 months, the last time being in December 2012 against Borussia Dortmund. In that contest, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, one of the most devastating injuries for an athlete.

But on Sunday, he finally made his official comeback, taking the pitch for 79 minutes in DFB-Pokal on Sunday, as Bayern defeated Preussen Munster, 4-1.

He was ecstatic to ave the opportunity to compete with the first-class German squad again.

The 25-year-old has made 101 appearances for the Bavarians since he debuted in 2009, when he made the jump from Bayern II to the first team before signing a four-year extension through 2010. Following his leg injury, in February 2013, Bayern recognized his significance to the club’s future at defense, inking him through 2017 with another four-year deal.

Bayern’s weakness in the central defense has been witnessed. Pep Guardiola and Bayern’s management are obviously trusting that Badstuber can fortify to the back line, assuming his form will pan out as it did in 2009-10. Rocky performances during the 2010 World Cup and 2011 Bundesliga season have hopefully subsided for the German footballer.

Never mind all that: Harry Kane was healthy, and scored three goals as Spurs kept pace with group mates Real Madrid in filing a 3-0 win at APOEL Nicosia in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Kane said he was very proud of the side’s performance, as youngster Anthony Georgiou and seldom-used Georges-Kevin N’Koudou put in shifts in the win. From the BBC:

“We weren’t pleased with the first-half and a couple of chances could have gone the other way. We were more clinical and in the Champions League that is what you have got to be.

“We are missing a few players but the lads who stepped in were fantastic. We have a solid squad and you have to be ready. 3-0 away in the Champions League no matter who you play is a good result.”

Kane has 11 goals in September between club and country, and has six hat tricks in 2017. There may not be a finer big striker firing in Europe right now, and both England and Spurs will hope to ride him well into 2018.

A point from far from home is not the end of the world, but Liverpool will rue its missed chances in a 1-1 draw at Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Artyom Rebrov had a stellar day for Spartak before being injured and then replaced by Aleksandr Selikhov, who was also strong for the Russians.

Fernando (not that one) scored a free kick for Spartak, while Philippe Coutinho bagged the equalizer that keeps the Reds ahead of Spartak on goal difference. Both sides are three points behind Sevilla.

Hugo Lloris flubbed an early clearance and was fortunate to see the back-bounding ball dribble wide of his left post.

Carlao could’ve given APOEL a surprise lead close to halftime but headed wide of the net from within 10 yards.

Kane nearly added an assist to his ledger at the start of the second half, but Son Heung-min just missed his effort wide of the frame.

He scored another goal anyway, and another one. Moussa Sissoko set Kane up for the second of the night, a relatively simple finish for the striker, and Kane completed his trio of goals when he headed Kieran Trippier‘s cross home.